Emily Rosenfeld on Dream Roles, Loving Kristin Chenoweth & Covering Sutton Foster at 54 Below

Pint-sized star Emily Rosenfeld makes a very big impression as adorable orphan Molly in the Broadway revival of Annie. The busy little lady is teaming up with other child actors from Broadway shows to present the one-night-only special When I Grow Up: Broadway’s Next Generation at 54 Below. During the March 17 concert, these promising young talents will perform songs from shows they’d like to be cast in when they are older (Avenue Q, Next to Normal, Company). Below, Rosenfeld shares her dreams of teaming up with Broadway greats Kristin Chenoweth, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Laura Osnes, her love of Matilda and her many Annie memories.

What musical theater album is your favorite?
Annie, of course! I can't wait to hear the new Annie album we just recorded. I also love Bring It On, The Sound of Music and Matilda.

Which musical actress influences you? Who do you look up to?
Katie Finneran is such an awesome and funny actress. She is also the nicest and most generous person. I learn so much from watching her on and off stage. She's taught me that it's important to be true to yourself. I'm so lucky to share the stage with her. And I can't forget Brynnie (Brynn O'Malley). She's so fun and cool, and is a fantastic singer! She shares her healthy snacks with me backstage and has taught me to eat my veggies!

What is your go-to audition song?
Usually it's something like "Bigger Isn't Better" or "Little People" 'cause I'm little...

What song are you most excited to perform in the show?
I just love the song "Show Off." It's so much fun! Sutton Foster is so fabulous when she sings it in The Drowsy Chaperone!

What musical theater track is the most played on your iPod?
I have so many favorites, but right now it's "Quiet" from Matilda.

If you could invite any performer onstage for a duet at 54 Below, who would it be?
It would probably be a three-way tie between Kristin Chenoweth, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Laura Osnes! I would absolutely freak if I could sing with Kristin Chenoweth. People have said that I look like a mini version of her since I'm blonde and tiny—it would be ah-mazing! I just love "My Philosophy" and Wicked! And she was so great at the Oscars! If you're reading this Kristin: I'm ready when you are! I love Lin-Manuel Miranda's music and rap! I've recently seen Bring It On and the In the Heights reunion concert. I dream of rapping with him onstage! And Laura Osnes is just the sweetest! She's so talented. I can't wait to see Cinderella!

What’s your most listened to pop album?
I absolutely love anything by Adele and Taylor Swift, and I'm also starting to listen to the Beatles. They're so great!

What song most makes you smile?
"You're Never Fully Dressed without a Smile" from Annie, of course! And the 1930 song "Exactly Like You" by Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh always makes me happy.

This song always pumps me up:
I love "It's All Happening" from Bring It On! We blast it in the car, and my mom and I sing along with it. I actually got to do a rap from the song with the cast when I saw them at Broadway on Broadway!

What theater roles do you most want to play when you grow up?
Glinda in Wicked, Cosette in Les Miserables, Campbell in Bring It On and Liesl in The Sound of Music.

Don't miss Emily Rosenfeld in When I Grow Up: Broadway's Next Generation on March 17, and get to know her better in the video below.